Log in

[Tim]

 Can anyone offer advice on how to clean the focus screen on a Canon AE-1?  My old camera has dark spots and smudges, as well as black particles both on the focus screen and inside the optics within the viewer (sorry I don't know the right terminology

[Ed]

 this is probably from the shock that has deteriorated and become gummy.  It makes a mess.  Use isopropyl alcohol (not rubbing--has stuff in you don't want on vf).   Lightly moisten it and blot excess, then gently rub spots on bottom of screen.  This

[Sean OKeefe]

 Most stuff called rubbing alcohol in the USA is just 70% aq. isopropanol without other additives.   You do have to be careful of denaturants as a friend did once cleaning a screen with methyl ethyl ketone denaatured lab ethenol.  
 
Sean

[Tim Martin]

 What should I use as a cleaner/ blotter?  Lens tissue?  Q-tip?
 
Are the serrations of the fresnal lens (I'm assuming that's what the focus screen is) on the surface exposed to the lens, or the other side?  Is the focus screen made of plastic?

[Jon Goodman]

 Hi, Tim.  Truthfully, I'd suggest removing the pentaprism and screen to clean it.  In most cameras, the focus screen and the lens that sits above it form a sandwich that will capillate any liquid that might run to the edge like crazy.  I like to

[Joe Badger]

 Hi Tim:
I have performed this clean up on dozens of AE-1s
and have found that a Q tip soaked in lighter fluid works better than any thing else I have tried. The technique involves wiping the screen with a rolling motion of the Q tip never letting t

[ROBERT BARRON]

 Hi.
   I BOUGHT A ROLLIE MAGIC 1 ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO.
   IT IS IN NEAR MINT CONDITION,METER APPEARS TO  
   WORK O.K. BUT APPERTURE BLADES ARE JAMMED SHUT,
   ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.IT,S A CAMERA
   YOU DON,T HEAR A LOT ABOUT(